Distributor point and condenser mechanism



Sept. 25, 1962 J. R. SARGIS 3,055,992

' DISTRIBUTOR POINT AND CONDENSER MECHANISM Filed July 24, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

P 1962 J. R. SARGIS 3,055,992

DISTRIBUTOR POINT AND CONDENSER MECHANISM Filed July 24, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent Q 3,955,992 DISTRIBUTOR POINT AND CONDENSER MECHANISM John R. Sargis, 5146 W. Bertean Ave, Chicago, Ill. Filed July 24, 1961, Ser. No. 126,309 2 Claims. (Cl. 20030) The present invention relates to a distributor for an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to such a distributor which is provided with an improved point and condenser arrangement or mechanism.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an insert for a distributor whereby when it is necessary to change the points and condenser, it is only necessary to manually remove the insert and replace the same with a new insert whereby the job of replacing points and a condenser in a Vehicle or the like is greatly simplified.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an insert for a distributor such as a distributor of a vehicle engine, wherein the insert is adapted to be held in place by means of a spring member, the insert being provided with points which may be of a suitable type such as washer type or button type of points, and wherein according to the present invention the condenser for the distributor is arranged externally of the distributor so that whenever the condenser and points need replacement, the insert of the present invention can be readily manually disengaged and replaced by a new insert whereby it is not necessary to take apart the distributor housing in the usual manner in order to accomplish repair or replacement of the points, condenser or the like.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the character described that may be utilized speedily and with precision by even inexperienced operators.

Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a device of the character described that is economical to produce, durable in form, and conducive to the most economical use of materials and uniformity of members formed therefrom.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent in the subsequent description in the specification.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the distributor and showing the insert of the present invention mounted therein and showing the points closed.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing the points in open position instead of being closed as in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view illustrating the present invention, and with parts broken away and in section.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view illustrating the insert of the present invention per se, and showing the parts thereof separated.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a portion of a distributor such as a distributor for a vehicle ignition system, and the distributor 10 includes the housing 11 which may have a cap such as the cap 12 thereon, and the distributor 10 is adapted to be provided with the usual shaft assembly 13 for rotating the breaker cam 14, and the cam 14 includes the usual high points 15 as well as the flat surfaces 16, and arranged above the breaker cam 14 is the usual rotor 17. The numeral 13 indicates a dust guard which is arranged externally of Patented Sept. 25, 1962 ice the housing 11. The numeral 19 indicates a horizontally disposed breaker plate which is arranged in the housing 11.

As shown in the drawings the housing 11 is provided with an opening or cutout 20, and the numeral 21 indicates a body member which extends through the opening 20 so that according to the present invention an insert Which is indicated generally by the numeral 22 can be provided. Formed integral with the lower inner portion of the body member 21 are lugs 23 which are provided with apertures or openings 24, FIGURE 7, and the numeral 25 indicates securing elements such as screws or bolts which extend down through the openings 24 and are adapted to engage openings such as the openings 26 in the breaker plate 19 whereby the body member 21 is firmly anchored or afiixed in place. The body member 21 further includes an end wall 27 as well as a cylindrical side wall portion 29, and the end wall 27 is provided with a central aperture or opening 28 which is for a purpose to be later described.

The insert 22 is shown to include a detachable or removable casing or support piece which is indicated generally by the numeral 3%), and the casing 39 includes an end member 31 which is provided with a central opening 32 that registers with the opening 28 in the end wall 27, and the casing further includes a cylindrical side wall section 33, the side wall section 33 adapted to be snugly received within the side wall 29 of the body member 21, when the parts are in their operative or assembled p0sition.

As shown in the drawings there is provided a pin or plunger 34 which is made of non-metallic material, and the plunger 34 is adapted to have its inner end engaging the breaker cam 14, and the plunger 34 is mounted for reciprocable or sliding movement through the registering openings 28, 32, and through a registering opening 36 in a stationary point 37, and the point 37 is adapted to be secured in any suitable manner to the inner surface of the end member 31 of the casing 30. The plunger 34 has an end thereof firmly secured or aflixed to a movable piston 35 that is slidably arranged in the casing 30, and the plunger 34 extends through a central opening 38 in a movable point 39, and the point 39 is secured in any suitable manner to the piston 35. The point 39 is mounted for movement into and out of contact or engagement with the stationary point 37. The numeral 40 indicates an insulated ring which surrounds a portion of the movable piston 35 for insulating the piston 35 from the wall 33 of the casing 30.

There is also provided an insulated ring 41 which surrounds an end piece 42 that is detachably mounted in the outer end portion of the casing 30, FIGURE 2.

Formed integral with the outer projecting portion of the casing 30 or secured thereto is a shoulder 44. The numeral 43 indicates a coil spring which is interposed between the movable piston 35 and end piece 42. A plate or bracket :45 is adapted to be afiixed to the shoulder 44 as at 46, and the numeral 47 indicates a condenser which is suitably secured to the bracket 45, and the condenser 47 is electrically connected to the end piece 42 by means of the wire or conductor 48, FIGURES l and 2 and 5. The numeral 49 indicates a wire which is adapted to be electrically connected to the end piece 42 for connection to the usual coil. of the vehicle ignition system.

There is further provided a means for selectively maintaining the casing of the insert in proper assembled position, and this means comprises a spring member 50 which is adapted to have a portion thereof secured to the body member 21 as at 51, and the spring member 50 has an offset portion 52 for engaging an end of the casing 30 so as to normally hold the casing and its associated parts in their proper position within the body member. However, when it is desired to remove the casing, the holding force or power exerted by the spring member 50 can be readily overcome in order to permit the casing 3b to be removed or disconnected from the body member 21.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided an improved point and condenser mechanism for use with a distributor such as the distributor 10, and in use with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, it will be seen that the distributor 1% does not use or have the usual breaker points, and in addition the condenser is not arranged on the inside of the distributor housing as is conventionally done, so that with the present invention the condenser 47 is arranged outside of the distributor housing and the condenser 47 is a part of the insert which can be detached and removed when the points on the condenser become worn and need replacement. This replacement of the insert can be accomplished without the necessity of taking apart the distributor housing and since the entire insert is adapted to be replaced when these parts become worn, this replacement can be done by a person who is not a skilled mechanic, and the replacement can be accomplished quickly and easily.

When the vehicle is being operated, the parts are in a position such as that shown in FIGURES l and 2, and it will be seen that as the cam 14 rotates as for example by means of the shaft assembly 13, the flat surfaces 1-6 and high points 15 will travel around to alternately move the plunger 34 which causes corresponding movement of the piston 35 in the casing 3b, and the spring 43 functions as a return spring, so that the point 39 will move into and out of contact or engagement with the point 37 as the cam 14 turns or rotates. That is, as shown in FIG- URE 1 with the plunger 34 in engagement with a fiat surface 16, the point 39 is in engagement with the point 36, and when the plunger 34 is in engagement with a high point 15, the point 39 is separated from the stationary point 37, as shown in FIGURE 2.

The condenser 47 is suitably afiixed to the bracket 45 that is connected to the shoulder 44 as at 46, and the shoulder 44 is an integral part of the casing 31), so that when the points 37 and 39 need replacement, or when the condenser 47 becomes worn and needs replacement, it is only necessary to move the spring 50 slightly whereby with the wire 49 disconnected from the end piece 42, i

the insert part or casing 30 together with the condenser 47 can be readily disconnected from the body member 21 and these parts can be replaced by a new casing and condenser and since the new casing has new points 37 and 39 therein, the repair or replacement work can be readily and quickly accomplished or taken care of.

The spring member 50 is constructed so that an end portion thereof is fastened to the body member 21 as at 51, and the spring member is provided with an offset portion 52 which is adapted to engage an end of the casing 30 as shown in FIGURES l and 2 whereby the spring member 50 serves to maintain the casing insert in its proper desired asembled position or relation.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

As noted in the drawings, the body 21 is attached to the breaker plate 19 of the distributor, and the hole inside of the distributor housing permits the body to float back and forth. After the body 21 is in place and secured as at 25, the rubber dust guard 18 can be positioned as shown in the drawings so as to keep dust, dirt and other foreign matter from entering the interior of the distributor housing through the opening 20 in the side of the distributor housing.

The insert of the present invention includes the means for mounting the condenser 47 as shown in the drawings and this eliminates the necessity of installing the condenser inside of the distributor. The plunger 34, is of nonmetallic material, and the plunger 34 rides against the breaker cam 14 and follows the cam as the cam turns.

4.- When the plunger 34 is on the high point 15 of the cam 14, the plunger lifts or parts the points 39 and 37 as shown in FIGURE 2. When the plunger 34 rides down to the flat surface 16, this permits the plunger 34 to come out further to thereby cause the points 39 and 36 to make contact as shown in FIGURE 1.

It is to be noted that when the points and condenser are worn it is only necessary to manually move or hold back the spring 50 and remove the insert which includes the casing 30 and its associated parts, and then by holding back the flat spring 50, a new insert is arranged in the body 21, and after the insert is located in the body member 21, the spring 5t) can be snapped in place to hol the insert or points in place.

With the new inserts in place, the wire 49 from the coil can be pushed into the hole 53 in the top or end of the insert as shown in the drawings.

The wire 49 leads to the ignition coil.

The rings 40 and 41 are made as non-metallic or insulating material, as shown in the drawings. While washer type points 39 and 36 as illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood that other types of points can be used, as for example button type points can be used instead of the washer type points. The body member 21 is made of metal, and the plunger 34 is made of non-metallic material. The insert can be removed and discarded when the points or condenser become worn, and the present inven tion is constructed so that an average person can change points and the condenser in a vehicle such as an automobile by simply pulling the fiat spring 50 back and removing the insert and replacing the same with a new insert.

Although the invention herein described is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and that it is not to be limited to the details or construction herein described other than as defined in the appended claims.

What it claimed is:

l. In a distributor, a housing, a breaker cam rotatably mounted in said housing, a breaker plate arranged in said housing below said cam, there being an opening in the side of said housing, a metallic body member projecting through said opening and said body member including apertured lugs fastened to said breaker plate, said body member including an inner end wall provided with a central opening, a non-metallic plunger slidably projecting through the opening in said end wall, and said plunger arranged in engagement with said cam, a casing detachably mounted in said body member and said casing including an end member arranged contiguous to the end wall of said body member, a piston slidably mounted in said casing, a stationary point mounted in said casing and secured to said end member, a movable point affixed to said piston and said movable point being mounted for movement into and out of contact with said stationary point, said plunger extending through openings in said points and said plunger being affixed to said piston, an end piece mounted in the outer end of said casing, a coil spring interposed between said end piece and piston, insulated rings mounted on said piston and end piece, a shoulder on the outer end of said casing, a bracket aflixed to said shoulder, a condenser connected to said bracket, a conductor electrically connecting said condenser to said end piece, and a wire connected to said end piece for connection to a coil.

2. In a distributor, a housing, a breaker cam rotatably mounted in said housing, a breaker plate arranged in said housing below said cam, there being an opening in the side of said housing, a metallic body member projecting through said opening and said body member including apertured lugs fastened to said breaker plate, said body member including an inner end wall provided-with a central opening, a non-metallic plunger slidably projecting through the opening in said end wall, and said plunger arranged in engagement with said ca-m, a casing detachably mounted in said body member and said casing including an end member arranged contiguous to the end wall of said body member, a piston slidably mounted in said casing, a stationary point mounted in said casing and secured to said end member, a movable point aflixed to said piston and said movable point being mounted for movement into and out of contact with said stationary point, said plunger extending through openings in said points and said plunger being affixed to said piston, an end piece mounted in the outer end of said casing, a coil spring interposed between said end piece and piston, insulated rings mounted on said piston and end piece, a shoulder on the outer end of said casing, a bracket aflixed to said shoulder, a condenser connected to said braoket, a conductor electrically connecting said condenser to said 5 casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 2,587,013 Vogel Feb. 26, 1952 2,6 8 1,221 Randol June 15, 1954 2,788,401 McCarty Apr. 9, 1957 2,805,292 Carman Sept. 3, 1957 2,810,796 Russell Oct. 22, 1957 2,990,459 Stanbro et a1 June 27, 1961 

